KUNG FU - WUSHU

HISTORY OF KUNG FU - WUSHU

Kung Fu is' a generic Chinese term meaning "exercise performed with skill and commitment" and can be used in many contexts. The word Wu shu means instead Martial Arts, and would be the right word to indicate the China's fighting arts. In Western gyms, is usually used to indicate a Kung fu classic, based on forms, rather than sparring.

The history of Kung Fu, or at least of the China fighting arts, is ancient. Already 2500 years BC there were fighting arts. The influence of a legendary Indian monk, Bodhidharma, about 500 years DC, led to a development of a form of combat in the monastery of Shaolin (it seems to reinforce the weak monks) This monastery was destroyed in 1640, and the survivors scattered through China, rising to an infinite number of different styles.

Kung Fu also owes much to masters of acupuncture, and doctors, to philosophers and philosophies. The main ones are: Buddhism (for the meditative aspect), Taoism, for concepts of Yin and Yang, full and empty, and Confucianism for hierarchical rules and formalities. From these influences are born internal styles of martial arts. Those styles which, referring to the theories of the internal energy called Ki, aiming for a healthy life, rather than learning an effective combat system.

In modern times, after being persecuted and banned, the Kung fu becomes, with the name of Wu Shu, the national sport of the Republic of China. Currently declining in favor of sports such as Taekwondo.

TECHNIQUE OF KUNG FU - WUSHU

Kung fu is a set of styles, very different among them. You can not define this art, containing soft styles and hard styles. Choreographic styles and styles essential. Styles interior and external styles. Is an art so varied as to become complete.

You can do four distinctions between the styles of training currently offered by the instructors and teachers. The Wu Shu, Kung fu, the Chinese boxing (sanda), and Tai chi (internal styles various)

WU SHU is the most artistic and choreographic. The training is mainly based on forms, executed up to the perfect execution, and strokes executed in a very classic way.

KUNG FU is a modernized version of Wu Shu, which combines learning of forms and classic strokes to the kickboxing blows.

CHINESE BOXING (Sanda) is an agonistic version of the China fighting arts, with rules are like the Kick boxing, with the addition of the wrestle and projections standing.

Weapons: Use of weapons is very important for Chinese martial arts. Especially for the Wu Shu. Click here to see the list of major weapons.

MAJOR STYLES OF KUNG FU - WUSHU

WING CHUN (TSUN) This style seems to have been founded by a nun escaped from the destruction of the Shaolin Monastery. In fact, it is an essential style and scientific, that does not require great physical strength, but especially dexterity, reflexes and much training. Technically it is based on short shots and linear, so useful to the short distance with bare hands. The concatenation of continuous shots, as a defense, as a diversion, such as attack, that hit the opponent in search of an entry for the decisive blow, combined with certain principles like the softness on attacks, and the continuous contact with the opponent as to prevent the attacks, make this style of fighting an art truly original and effective in unarmed combat.

QIN NA The Qin na can be considered one of the many styles of kung fu, but remains a style in itself, very special and with its peculiarities. It is based on combat at short distance, tended to immobilize the opponent and make it harmless (for this reason, many police forces and armies make use of Quinna techniques, in the training with bare hands) The main techniques are therefore grappling techniques and joint control, causing dislocations, joint locks, chokes, holding the muscles and tendons, and the pressure of the vital points.

HUNG GAR The Hung Gar is another style directly descended from Shaolin Monastery, developed, then, in the monastery of Siu Lam. Owes its final processing to Hung Nei Kung, founder of the style. It 'a style considered "hard". The main technical characteristics are the positions low and stable, the extensive use of the arms, and kicking at chest - groin.

THIEU LAM It is a style undergoing the influence of Vietnamese combat styles, reciving particular attention to the very short distance, the struggle, and the devastating head shots. As well as a combat particularly essential and aimed at weak points, the joints of the legs, for example. There are, spectacular shots and classic weapons.

TANG LANG The style Tang Lang is known as the style of the praying mantis. It seems that insect was inspired by the Monk Wang Lang. Studying it, and teasing it with twigs, monk learned the principles of defense and offense that applied to the styles he practiced. The successors developed several substyles, following the same basic principles. In this style the arms move lightning, both linear and circular, often in the typical "hook position" that characterizes it.

TOP LINKS

I come to you with empty hands. I do not wear weapons, but if I have to defend myself, my principles or my honor, it was a matter of life or death, right or wrong, then here are my weapons ... my bare hands. M° Gichin Funakoshi